Hop Aboard With Us
El Monte Walking School Bus
Our school bus was not yellow. It doesn’t have four wheels. And it’s doors don’t open.
We used our feet and travel together to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, get a little exercise and have fun!
Our designated routes allowed students to safely walk to school and from school and get dropped off near their homes. Sharing the trip with other families provides adult supervision for groups of students, reassures parents that their children can get to school safely and on time, and builds community in the neighborhood.
About the Bus
The idea for Walk with Us El Monte started in 2014, when the El Monte City School District (EMCSD) Amigos de los Rios applied for grant funding for a WSB program through the California State Active Transportation Program. The City of El Monte came in as project partner in 2016.
That same year, the Project Team was awarded funding to pilot the Walking School Bus program at Durfee-Thompson Elementary School to encourage more students to walk to school, improve community health and address safety concerns for people walking.
This was a pilot program implemented by Amigos de los Rios and Durfee Thompson Elementary School and was later turned over to the El Monte City School Districted.
The Emerald Necklace
Walking School Bus Mural
at Durfee Thompson Elementary
This mural was created as a lasting reminder for children in the community of the importance of staying active, enjoying walking to school, observing nature and learning safe walking habits that will be helpful for taking longer hikes.
